I have seen a fat fool, dressed in a costly robe, with a turban of Egyptian linen on his head, riding on an Arab horse. Someone said: ‘Sa’di, what thinkest thou of this famous brocade upon this ignorant animal?’ I replied: ‘It is like ugly characters scrawled with gold-water.’ <br /> <br /> Verily he is like an ass among men, <br /> A calf, a body which is bleating. <br /> This animal cannot be said to resemble a man <br /> Except in his cloak, turban and outward adornment. <br /> Examine all his property and belongings of his estate <br /> Thou wilt find nothing lawful to take except his blood. <br /> If a noble man becomes impoverished imagine not <br /> That his high worth will also decrease. <br /> But if into a silver threshold golden nails are driven <br /> By a Jew, think not that he will thereby become noble.<br /><br />Saadi Shirazi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ch-03-on-the-excellence-of-contentment-story-26/
